AU: Thank you for all your reviews, favs and alerts! Hope you will continue to read my story.

Shattered Apocalypse, thank you for beta-reading! :)

Ciel stared at Sebastian; his mismatched eyes seeing nothing but the grievous chest wound, blood covering the white shirt and staining the snow around him, dyeing it dark red. He was unaware of the tears in his eyes, and didn't even realize how badly his palms were shaking. Kneeling on the snow, he couldn't feel its coldness.

"You promised to help me with my revenge," he hissed, trying to sound angry, yet his voice sounded almost as if he was crying. "How dare you try to break our contract?!"

Deep down, he knew from the very start what he was supposed to do; he understood it the second the other demon whispered those words. Blood is precious. Sebastian's body couldn't heal on its own, but it could with a little help. Just like it was with Ciel's own body back when he had pneumonia.

Ciel quickly took off his coat. Without any hesitation, he roughly started to tear the bandage off his left wrist, and with his still trembling hand he brought the blade of the knife close to his skin, exactly where the stitches were. Taking a deep breath, he made a cut there, loudly gasping in pain. Sharp silver easily sliced the skin, and blood immediately appeared on its surface.

Ciel crawled closer to Sebastian, his small figure hovering over the demon, and brought his wrist to the demon's mouth. He could feel Sebastian's sharp protruding fangs slightly grazing his skin. Some of his blood trickled down the side of the demon's chin as he pressed his wrist more forcefully.

At first, nothing happened, and Ciel feared that he had been wrong. All his doubts, however, soon vanished when he suddenly heard the sound of his blood being swallowed. Before he had any chance to react, he was grabbed; hands violently gripping his buttocks, animal-like nails painfully clawing into them, almost ripping the material, forcefully pulling Ciel upwards. This action caused Ciel to completely lose his balance and he fell on top of the demon.

As he raised his head a little bit, he managed to notice that Sebastian's eyes were violet, fangs covered with blood. He still wasn't back to his usual form.

"Wha-" Ciel began weakly, but was soon cut off by Sebastian titling his head, forcefully exposing his throat and bending it closer to his face, in an almost painful manner. He then nuzzled into Ciel's neck, sniffing it, before his teeth sunk in, biting deep into the flesh.

The searing pain drew a moan from Ciel and he squirmed instinctively, trying to move away, but the demon didn't let him, one of his hands still on the boy's backside, the other now clutching his hair, making him wince and completely immobilizing him.

He could feel the demon's lips on his skin and so he could hear the sounds of his rushing blood being greedily swallowed, without any restraint. It made him feel dizzy. He closed his eyes, his breathing now quickened, the panic making him unable to move, paralyzing him completely.

His mind was still hazy so it took him a moment to register what was actually happening. Was he really just bitten by Sebastian?

He didn't understand why, but the initial pain began to quickly fade away, making him feel a sudden rush of blessed numbness. He stopped struggling completely, his body going limp like a rag doll. He let it rest against the demon, his whole weight now on top of him. It was… so weird and confusing, this disturbing sensation… Why wasn't it as unpleasant as it should be? Why wasn't it as gross as it should be? Instead, it was actually beginning to feel good, the strange sense of anesthesia; all his worries disappearing in seconds. He didn't even feel cold anymore.

He didn't know how long it had been before he felt his neck being licked and caressed with warm, soft lips and a tongue. He sighed softly as he felt the familiar, comforting sensation of his hair being gently stroked and petted.

He passed out, but it seemed just like falling into a blissful sleep.

When Ciel regained consciousness, he was in his own bed, feeling heavenly warm and comfortable. Still, he also felt quite weak and faint, and his neck seemed a little sore for some reason. His eyes opened; slightly gazed and unfocused. He immediately noticed that it must have still been night, for it was quite dark and the curtains were still shut.

"Are you feeling alright, Master?" A well known voice made him look to the left. Ciel saw his butler, standing right next to his bed.

He looked… Normal. Like he always did. No claws, no fangs… No wound, no blood. He couldn't help but sigh with relief. It was like waking up from the worst nightmare. Everything was going to be alright now.

Not giving the boy a chance to answer, the demon helped him sit up and handed him a glass filled with water.

"Please, drink this, my Lord," he said, in a neutral voice. "I have also prepared some light snacks for you. Even though it's still nighttime, you should eat something in order to-"

"Mhm," Ciel interrupted him impatiently, staring at him. "I'm…" he hesitated a bit, before finishing. "Glad that it worked. I can't remember anything after I reopened that wound on my wrist, you know?" he mumbled, immediately glancing at his hand, now once again carefully bandaged. "I think I must have fainted immediately after," he added, his tone clearly suggesting that he was just stating a fact. It was true. He only remembered last night events up to that point, as if his memory had a some blanks.

Sebastian replied after a long moment, watching him intensely. "There is no need to worry, Master. There's no need to remember," he murmured, a barely audible hint of a chuckle in his voice.

Ciel took a few sips of water; his gaze now on the bed covers, avoiding Sebastian.

The demon kept observing him, effortlessly reading into the expression the boy tried to hide so hard, and obviously failing. Ciel was disappointed. It was obvious to him; Ciel was disappointed in his reaction to the night's events.

Ciel's eyes narrowed slightly; clearly he was growing more and more inpatient because of his butler's silence. He glanced at the nutritional, healthy looking snacks brought by Sebastian before letting his gaze turn to the demon, once again.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" he asked finally coldly. "I think you should at least-"

The demon interrupted him. "I thought it would be appropriate to ask my Master first," he said in a neutral tone of the voice. "Therefore, may I thank you, Master? For going to such lengths for his humble servant?" he asked in a polite, serious manner.

Ciel blinked, slight confusion now portrayed on his face when hearing the request. "You… may," he murmured finally, trying to cover up the puzzlement in his voice with fake confidence. He reached for one of the snacks but didn't start eating it.

Before he had the chance to do anything, Sebastian leaned down slightly and placed a kiss on the soft greyish blue hair which hind his master's forehead.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master," he said quietly, clearly in a mocking manner. "And forgive me for failing your expectations."

Ciel opened his mouth to say something a look of pure surprise and annoyance on his face, but he was once more interrupted.

"However," continued Sebastian. "Your action was completely unnecessary. My body would soon mend itself on its own, my Lord. Your blood simply quickened this process."

Ciel stared at him with disbelief written all over his face. "He said it was an anti-demon weapon and your body wouldn't stand a chance unless I-" he began to explain frantically.

Sebastian sighed, his eyes never leaving Ciel. "He lied to you, Master. I thought you knew already… that I'm not going to die easily. It's true that the weapon he used was made specifically to weaken demons, but it certainly would not kill me. In a little time, I would be as good as new," he explained, a slight, satisfied smile on his face.

Ciel chuckled humorlessly. "It was such a waste then," he commented coldly.

Without another word, he put the snack away, back on the plate set on the nightstand. He then turned away and lay down again, his back now facing Sebastian.

"I'm tired," he said simply, his voice void of any emotions. "Don't wake me up too early," he added quietly.

It was dinnertime and Ciel was sitting in the dining room, his head lazily rested on the elbow placed on the table surface. In front of him was a plate of roasted turkey with dressing. It was also filled up to the brim with a variety of colorful, fresh vegetables.

"Why such a big portion?" complained Ciel whiningly. "I'm not going to eat this much."

Sebastian, standing close to his side, replied. "You have lost quite a lot of blood, Master. Therefore, you need food rich in nutritious-"

"Boring," interrupted him Ciel, uncaringly. He lifted his head up a little bit and stabbed a piece of carrot with a fork, observing it with disgust. "I'd rather eat something sweet. You know that I prefer sweet things," he said in a scolding tone.

"You can have your dessert if you eat all of this," said Sebastian patiently, giving him a triumphal smirk.

"I am going to decide when I have my dessert," argued Ciel, but put the fork in his mouth anyway, biting off some carrot. "Anyway," he continued, in a more serious tone, "now about the missing people case. He said…" Ciel hesitated for a second. "He said that he will come to see me again soon," he explained finally. "So I don't think there is a need to do anything right now."

Sebastian nodded, agreeing with him. "There is no need for you to be concerned over it," he assured the boy, in a confident tone. "What happened back then, when I got caught off my guard, won't happen again."

"It better not," murmured bitterly Ciel.

It was the middle of the night when Ciel woke up. At first, he didn't know what actually caused his awakening, until he heard the familiar melody. Rubbing his eyes slowly, he pulled away the covers, tilting his head to the side slightly, like a curious puppy. It was so… heavenly. So divine, so haunting, that he never wanted it to end.

Without thinking, he got up and left the bedroom, barefooted and wearing nothing but a nightshirt. He didn't know how long he'd been walking. It felt like a long time when he suddenly realized he was standing in the hallway, and that everything had gone quiet.

He gasped, completely startled when he felt something cold on his palm.

"So we meet again, beautiful." A well known, harmonious voice whispered into his ear.

Ciel blinked, slowly coming out of the dazed state, only half aware that the demon in front of him brought his palm to his mouth and placed a kiss on it, just like he did to that girl back then.

"Let go!" he suddenly protested in a choked voice, jerking his hand away. "Sebastian, come here, this is an order!" he shouted weakly, not understanding why his butler still didn't realize that he was in danger.

The demon roughly grabbed both his wrists, restraining him in a manner that reminded Ciel of the Asylum, and only caused him to struggle even more.

"Sebastian, I ordered you!" he yelled again, sheer desperation in his voice.

Why wasn't he coming? Did something happen, again? The mere thought of that almost made him hyperventilate.

"He won't. I made sure of that." The violinist smiled, seeing the pure terror appearing on the boy's face upon hearing those words. "There is no need to fight," he said in a calming, steady voice, firmly restricting the boy's movements. "Calm down, Ciel."

The way he said his name made Ciel hold his breath for a second, the sudden sense of dread overwhelming him. What was going to happen now? Why was he all alone again?

A humiliated, helpless child. That was what he felt like again. Even though he sold his very soul to never experience this again… The sense of being abandoned and the fear of being hurt were too much, he felt like he was going insane. His body seemed to be going numb, just like his mind. His struggles weren't as hectic anymore, his thoughts stopped being so chaotic. Just like… back then.

"There is something I need you to know first. Something that will make you even more perfect, before we can work on adding you to my collection," the demon continued to murmur into his ear. "Do you understand?"

One of his claws gently tore the bandage off Ciel's hand and began stroking the stitched skin on Ciel's left wrist, making him wince. The boy didn't reply to his words. He looked like he was going to be sick, his face pale as a sheet.

"Can you hear me, Ciel?" the demon kept talking to him, his voice sounding as if it was coming from the distance. "Ciel, look this way."

So… disturbingly familiar. Those words. Ciel listened to them carefully, trying to make sense of them.

No reaction. The demon seemed so pleased, seeing shock in mismatched eyes, even though the little prey didn't realize it was there yet.

"Look at me, Ciel, if you can understand what I am saying to you. Isn't it quieter here than in your room? Isn't it better?"

Those words made him gasp with terror, making him realize where he heard them for the first time, bringing back all the memories, making them flash in front of his eyes. Finally. All his struggles ceased as he found himself barely able to breathe, his heart frantically fluttering.

"Do you like it?" the demon whispered into his ear, at the same time putting pressure on the stitched wound with his claws, painfully, but not hard enough to break skin.

The mismatched pair of eyes looked completely glazed and unfocused, staring into an empty wall in front of them.

"No," a soft whimper escaped Ciel's lips.

How did he know? How did he know all those things?

"No?" repeated the demon in a gentle, caring voice. "Why not, Ciel? Can you tell me?"

Ciel squeezed his eyes shut, subconsciously biting his lip, completely distressed. Everything seemed to mix up. Memories. Reality. Words, voices, places; even the walls seemed to be dirty grayish, were where the pure white walls gone?

"Can you hear me, Ciel?"

"Ciel, look this way."

"Look at me, Ciel, if you can understand what I am saying to you."

"Why did you refuse to eat, and then spat at the nurse again when she tried to feed you, Ciel?"

"Oh my, aren't you a lovely creature, I could just eat you up… Did you sleep well, little kitten?"

"Do you like it?"

"Why is the little dollybird so eager to leave?"

"Do you understand now?" a pleased, melodic voice broke through his memories, bringing him back to the real world again.

"Stop," Ciel whispered angrily, his mind still feeling hazy. "Stop messing with my head!" he yelled suddenly, his voice echoing in the hallway. "How do you even-" he began in a half-choked voice, but the demon interrupted him.

"I know everything," the demon told him calmly, a satisfied expression on his face. "Every single detail, and, of course, your biggest, most hidden secret," he murmured, observing the boy's reaction. "About your parents, and what happened that day. The truth you're trying so hard to find out, even though it's right in front of you. Or maybe trying to hide is a better way to put it… Ciel?"

Ciel's eyes widened, his heart beating even faster. "You're lying," he said quickly. "You-"

The demon smiled at him, finally letting go of his wrists. He then reached out to stroke Ciel's cheek with his claw, before answering. "I am not lying. And I want you to find out the truth, little one," he promised. "It is essential, for both of us."

Ciel shook his head, a lost and confused look on his face. "I don't know what you are saying, I don't understand you at all! But if you know something, then tell me!" he demanded loudly, completely losing his patience.

There was a sudden, unidentified sound, and Ciel felt something warm splash on his face.

Red, red, red. Dark red everywhere. He could see long, black claws, protruding from the demon's chest, so close to him.

"Distraction is such an inconvenient thing, is it not?" A joyful, well-known voice spoke. "Especially on someone else's territory."

"Sebastian," whispered Ciel automatically, staring at his butler, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Excuse my delay, Master. I apologize."

Sebastian, drenched in blood, was standing right behind the other demon, his claws still deeply embedded in the other one's flesh.

"I admit, your little friends were a bit bothersome… It is my duty to inform you that bringing uninvited guests with you is improper etiquette," the demon said, his tone careless as he now spoke to the enemy.

The violinist let out a low, pained growl, struggling, all his efforts in vain.

"Master, I don't think it would be appropriate for you to witness his gruesome leaving. Therefore, I shall take this outside," said Sebastian, the smirk on his face revealing his inhumane, canine-like fangs.

Ciel, still in shock caused by the demon's earlier actions, mindlessly stared as his butler violently dragged the other being out.

Seconds later, he could hear the disturbing noises. Skin being cut and ripped apart, blood splashing on the ground, growls…

He didn't even notice when Sebastian returned, the butler's white vest even bloodier now, if that was possible.

"I disposed of him, Master," announced the demon, standing right in front of Ciel. His crimson eyes were observing the boy carefully. "Are you hurt?" he asked softly, more to comfort the boy than anything else since he couldn't see any injuries.

Ciel's mind was an absolute mess; he couldn't concentrate at all, all his thoughts mixed together. He didn't even feel it when Sebastian gripped his wrist gently, taking a look at the marks left by the violinist's claws, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"No… What about… those people?" he murmured finally.

"As to what happened to the victims…" Sebastian began, out of nowhere producing a bandage and wrapping it back around Ciel's wrist, where the stitched wound was. "Unfortunately, the process of… making them into dolls, which basically means strapping them of any free will and emotions, was completely permanent," he continued. "I do know their location but they will never be themselves again. I'm certain that the society will treat them as mentally ill."

A wince appeared on Ciel's face when he heard it. "Just… kill them all then. Painlessly. End it for them. That's my decision," he said quietly, yet firmly.

"Master, are you sure?" the demon questioned, his voice a bit hesitant.

"It's better for them. Better than… The Asylum." Ciel slowly nodded, his gaze still unfocused. "He wanted me to be one of the dolls, too, but he said I was not ready to become one yet. But he also…" the boy broke of, an anxious expression back on his face again. "Where is he?" he asked out of nowhere, looking around, as if expecting the violinist to be hiding somewhere.

"He won't bother us ever again, my Lord, I made sure of that," simply replied the demon. "You need more sleep, therefore-"

"You killed him?!" gasped Ciel, his voice full of disbelief, and surprisingly to Sebastian – anger.

Sebastian stared at the boy for a second, his head titling to the side a little bit, with curiosity. "Yes, Master. Last time you ordered me to defeat him, after making him talk about-" he began explaining.

"I didn't want you to kill him! I didn't want you to defeat him completely today, I still needed to talk to him!" Ciel screamed hysterically. His eyes were widened, face even paler than before. There was no doubt that he was greatly distressed.

Sebastian was looking at him, lack of understanding and slight concern reflected on his face. "Talk to him?" Sebastian asked, unable to hide the confusion in his voice. "About what, Master? I told you that I found the information about all the victims and-"

Ciel didn't let him finish. "You don't understand anything! You've ruined everything! How dared you kill him without my consent?!" he yelled, his voice even louder than before.

The sound of footsteps was muffled by the boy's yells, and soon the three servants appearing in the hallway, all in their nightwear.

"Is everythin' alright?" One of the voices, sounding very sleepy, spoke. It was, however, completely ignored.

"You had never taken back that order, my Lord, so I assumed this was what you wanted," the demon tried to reason with Ciel. "Please, let me take you back to your bedroom, you seem very upset, and tomorrow-"

"He knew everything! He knew everything about me and about my parents' deaths and he was going to tell me!" shrieked Ciel, his voice now trembling slightly.

Ciel's eyes were filled with anger as they stared at Sebastian. The boy looked like he was almost ready to attack the servant.

Sebastian sighed. "You don't really believe that, do you my Lord? He was a master of mind manipulation. He just read your mind to find out about your memories. That's all there-"

Ciel didn't let him finish. "This wasn't for you to decide!"

Unable to control himself anymore, he furiously slapped Sebastian. A stuffed gasp could be heard from one of the servants as a red mark appeared on the demon's cheek almost immediately.

Sebastian, watching him completely expressionless, replied. "If this is how you see it, then I apologize, Master. It wasn't my intention to interfere with your choice," he said, voice lacking any regret.

Ciel completely lost all his control. He could feel the tears of anger and disappointment in his eyes, threatening to escape. At this moment, it didn't matter to him whether or not the second demon had been lying. The only thing he cared about was a chance at finally getting some information he was desperately seeking for, and Sebastian took it away from him.

"Did you do it on purpose?" Ciel hissed, sudden accusation in his voice and eyes. "Did you kill him because he was going to help me find out the truth, and it would then mean that our contract was void, because it was someone else that helped me?!" he shouted with pure fury.

"You aren't making any sense, Master. He lied to you, in reality, he had no idea-"

"Shut up!" Ciel closed his eyes for a moment, trying to compose himself. When he opened them again, his glaze focused on Sebastian, and he only felt the anger getting stronger. "I hate you," he whispered, voice full of loathing. "Leave this mansion. I can't even look at your face!" he demanded coldly, his eyes narrowed. "Do not ever come back if you aren't called, no matter what. Do you understand?"

Sebastian stared at him for a moment, before answering. "As you wish, Master," he said uncaringly. He then turned around, heading towards the door.

Ciel let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, hearing the door being shut. He eyed the three servants standing in the entrance to the hallway, an emotionless look on his face.

"Y-Young Master, is-"

"You are all dismissed," he said quietly, not letting Finnian finish the sentence. "I don't want to see anyone for a while, so please stay out of my way," he added, not sparing them a second glance.

He heard them murmuring replies, all in depressed voices, as he made his way upstairs. He then went to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Without thinking, he opened the tap and splashed some cold water on his face; it had been dyed red when he began cleansing away the demon's blood from his skin.

Sighing softly, he backed away a little bit, wanting to see if there were any traces of it left. He froze, completely still, pure terror in his eyes. Just like… Déjà vu.

Such a familiar sight. The ruined blue outfit and a torn apron, all stained red. His right eye; bleeding, injured, crimson trickling from it down his face. Black and white stockings, their upper parts uncomfortably sticky with blood. The bruises and scratches; everywhere.